Newbie water pump question

[alesure]

As my kids would say, "you sound like a noob"....we're headed out for our maiden 3 night trip this coming Wednesday in our 2021 2200BH. We will be dry camping with no hook-ups at our site, so we'll be utilizing the onboard fresh water tank. My question is: do you keep the water pump turned on the entire time or only when you are using the water system? Will keeping it turned on for 3 days straight have any adverse effects? Thanks in advance for any insight/tips!

[NH_Bulldog]

The pump is on-demand, it only runs when you use water and stops when the faucet is closed and system pressure is reached.

Having the pump on is also good because if you hear it cycle periodically when not using water, it could indicate a leak somewhere.

[markcee]

Originally Posted by alesure

As my kids would say, "you sound like a noob"....we're headed out for our maiden 3 night trip this coming Wednesday in our 2021 2200BH. We will be dry camping with no hook-ups at our site, so we'll be utilizing the onboard fresh water tank. My question is: do you keep the water pump turned on the entire time or only when you are using the water system? Will keeping it turned on for 3 days straight have any adverse effects? Thanks in advance for any insight/tips!

It's fine to leave it on as it will only activate when a tap is opened. A lot of people do however turn it 'off' when leaving the RV.....just in case a malfunction were to occur.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by markcee

It's fine to leave it on as it will only activate when a tap is opened. A lot of people do however turn it 'off' when leaving the RV.....just in case a malfunction were to occur.

Regardless whether using the pump or connected to city water supply ALWAYS turn the supply/pump off when leaving the rv. A severe water inside a rv is most certainly a death sentence for the rv.
Which is also the reason to do regular roof inspections & recaulking as necessary.

[MarkEHansen]

Are you sure you have the battery capacity to endure a 3-day camping trip? If all you have is the typical Marine/Combo battery supplied by the RV dealer, the answer is probably No (unless you have a generator with you).

[German Shepherd Guy]

Ditto what Mark said.

[alesure]

Originally Posted by MarkEHansen

Are you sure you have the battery capacity to endure a 3-day camping trip? If all you have is the typical Marine/Combo battery supplied by the RV dealer, the answer is probably No (unless you have a generator with you).

I do have the battery setup that came from the dealer. I think we'll keep it turned off except for meal times. Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful replies!

[gkainz]

Originally Posted by alesure

I do have the battery setup that came from the dealer. I think we'll keep it turned off except for meal times. Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful replies!

you need to rethink that ... at a bare minimum, the fridge, while propane fired, still needs 12v battery to operate

[sourdough]

If the only battery power you have is what came from the dealer you probably have one 12vdc marine/cranking battery. That won't last 3 days with kids, washing dishes, showers etc. Even if you did none of the above and ran the fridge and other parasitic devices it could well be depleted prior to your departure. At this late date you would probably do well to either add a 2nd battery if you don't have one or look into a small generator. Now, back in the day doing without any powered anything was just a given but that's not what folks expect anymore and I figure the family is going to want the maiden voyage to be fun and "test the waters" with the new trailer.

[MarkEHansen]

Originally Posted by alesure

I do have the battery setup that came from the dealer. I think we'll keep it turned off except for meal times. Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful replies!

That's not going to cut it. I seriously doubt your battery will last one night. What's worse is that if you let the battery get below about 80% state of charge, it will be irrevocably damaged.

As others have mentioned, you have far more drawing from that battery than just the water pump.

If you want to dry camp, you really need an upgraded battery system. 2 batteries and they need to be true deep cycle batteries, not Marine/Cranking batteries.

[pikespeakviewer]

I absolutely think that you can dry camp for 3 nights with 1 12V battery, and with kids!

However, you have to be frugal with power.

- Use the campground bathrooms during the day.
- Don't use the radio.
- Use your water, but don't fill the sink to the top when doing dishes.
- Make sure that all your lights are LEDs and turn them off when you don't need them.
- Use a glowstick as a night light.
- Turn the pump off when you leave your site.

And most importantly, ENJOY it! You will use more power on your first trip than any other trip, and that's ok!

[travelin texans]

Be sure to take along a set of jumper cables so you can connect to the rv to get the slides in, if equipped, if the batteries are depleted when time to depart.

[MarkEHansen]

Another safety item to keep in mind is that towing requires a battery in good condition and charged for use in powering the trailer brakes in the event of a break-away condition. If you allow your battery to discharge (completely, or close to it) and then tow the trailer, you would be lacking this required safety item.

[Crischan]

Originally Posted by MarkEHansen

Another safety item to keep in mind is that towing requires a battery in good condition and charged for use in powering the trailer brakes in the event of a break-away condition. If you allow your battery to discharge (completely, or close to it) and then tow the trailer, you would be lacking this required safety item.

Just curious but wouldn't power come from the tow vehicle batteries if the trailer batteries were dead?

[MarkEHansen]

Two issues:
1. When the trailer battery is dead, the charge rate from the tow vehicle is very, very low - as there is not much current carrying capacity through that connection; and

2. Once the trailer has separated, there is no more electrical connection between the trailer and the tow vehicle.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by pikespeakviewer

I absolutely think that you can dry camp for 3 nights with 1 12V battery, and with kids!

However, you have to be frugal with power.

- Use the campground bathrooms during the day.
- Don't use the radio.
- Use your water, but don't fill the sink to the top when doing dishes.
- Make sure that all your lights are LEDs and turn them off when you don't need them.
- Use a glowstick as a night light.
- Turn the pump off when you leave your site.

And most importantly, ENJOY it! You will use more power on your first trip than any other trip, and that's ok!

Are you speaking from experience? Honestly, new to camping, new trailer, first time out and a 3 day voyage? I'm guessing the battery will be done the next morning. If the battery survives the next day than likely fresh tank will be empty and gray tank full on second day.

To the OP, not trying to be negative here, just realistic. The battery supplied by the dealer is the most minimal in cost and capacity. The battery they supply is only REQUIRED to apply the brakes in the event the trailer disengages from the truck. Do yourself a favor and make your first go at drycamping in your driveway or at a campground with electric. Leave the camper unplugged and see how it goes. With the back up resources available you will then KNOW how long the battery will last. You will also quickly find out how long your cell phone batteries last as they will be taxed using the phone as a flashlight and entertainment.

It will still be an "adventure" only with a backup plan. You will also find out what becomes must haves vs want to haves like a fan during a jot night or showers every day vs 1 shower in 3 days. It's better IMHO to have the option to "tap out" and avoid disdain for camping on the first experience. Hope you enjoy yourself and wishing the best.

[MarkEHansen]

Also, if you're going to dry camp you really need to have a good shunt-based battery monitor. It's impractical to try to determine the state of charge of a coach battery while it's in use. The battery monitor will tell you the state of charge of the battery(ies) and let you know when you need to charge them.

Remember that if you let the batteries discharge too far, they can be damaged. This is worse for the Marine/Cranking batteries than it is for the true deep-cycle batteries.

[JRTJH]

Something not yet addressed is "depth of discharge" of your trailer battery during these "3 day dry camping trips" and "using jumper cables to pull in the slides" and "having a battery with sufficient charge remaining to power the trailer brakes in an emergency".....

All of those are "indicators of a fully discharged battery or a "nearly fully discharged battery"....

So far, nobody had talked about the recommended "discharge limits for types of batteries....

A hybrid "marine/RV battery" that has "cold cranking amps listed on the faceplate should not be discharged below 70% (that's only 30% of the usable charge available for camping)

A Deep cycle battery should not be discharged below 50% of its rated capacity.

So, with a couple of GP24 "WalMart RV/marine batteries" you likely won't be able to make it through the first night and into the next day. If you've got two slides and electric stabilizing jacks, just using the tongue jack to unhitch, setting up the stabilizer jacks, extending the slides and the awning will likely put you very close to the 80% charge status... That leaves 10% for 3 days of camping before you start damaging your batteries from discharging them too deeply....

Batteries "ain't a fill em up and drain em down till they're empty" kind of device..... If you do that more than a couple of times, plan on buying new batteries, possibly as often as 3 or 4 times a camping season......

This is one of the "perks" of using golf cart batteries. They have thicker plates and can withstand the deeper discharge without damaging the battery internal components. Even then, only half the rated capacity is usable... Not so with "hybrid dual purpose black boxes" that some people call "RV/marine" things.....

[MarvnMabel]

Originally Posted by gkainz

you need to rethink that ... at a bare minimum, the fridge, while propane fired, still needs 12v battery to operate

Oh my goodness. We boondock all over Montana and never have hook-ups. We can go 11 days on battery power. Have done it more than once

[MarvnMabel]

Originally Posted by sourdough

If the only battery power you have is what came from the dealer you probably have one 12vdc marine/cranking battery. That won't last 3 days with kids, washing dishes, showers etc. Even if you did none of the above and ran the fridge and other parasitic devices it could well be depleted prior to your departure. At this late date you would probably do well to either add a 2nd battery if you don't have one or look into a small generator. Now, back in the day doing without any powered anything was just a given but that's not what folks expect anymore and I figure the family is going to want the maiden voyage to be fun and "test the waters" with the new trailer.

We go 5+ days on battery power on a regular basis out here in the wild west. And they are 12v. Have pushed it to 10 days on many occasions.